McCarthy the Hero as Fairview Advance on Penalties

Fairview Rangers advanced in the Lawson Cup following a 4-2 victory on penalties against rivals Ballynanty Rovers at Limerick Institute of Technology on Sunday morning. It was a cagey encounter on a cold morning with the game finishing 0-0 after 90 minutes.

Ballynanty Rovers started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Tomas O’Connor partnering Thomas Byrnes in midfield behind James Fitzgerald. Dermot Fitzgerald partnered Josh Adams in central defence. Fairview lined out in similar fashion with Cian McNamara tasked with supporting lone striker Jack Arra.

Arra has been in great form for Fairview in recent weeks and his strong run on the left hand side allowed the former Regional man to supply a dangerous cross to the back post for the arriving Daragh Rainsford but the winger’s effort was blocked by Adam Costelloe.

Despite having a quiet afternoon, Conor Coughlan managed to evade the tight shackles of Daragh Hughes on a rare occasion to slide Cian McNamara through but Hughes managed to narrow the angle and McNamara fired wide. James Fitzgerald’s dangerous corner deliveries were defended well by the visitors and they best chance of the first period arrived when Adrian Power’s shot was saved by Josh McCarthy.

The home side started the second half with a purpose and pinned Fairview back for the opening 15 minutes. A number of former Fairview men were involved when James Fitzgerald’s corner was flicked on by Dermot Fitzgerald before striker Conor Keane steered his header off the crossbar. Moments later, the home side felt they had a strong case for a penalty when a shot appeared to strike the hand of a Fairview player from close range but referee Brian Higgins waved away the appeals.

With 20 minutes remaining, Fairview introduced Brian Aherne in place of Jack Arra with Cian McNamara moving to lead the line. Aherne was heavily involved immediately as he forced Walsh into a save from a header. In the final three minutes, Paul Danaher’s visitors had three very good chances to win the game with Aherne firing wide from the edge of the area followed by Jeffrey Judge miskicking Shane Duggan’s cross to the back post.

Aherne almost won it in style at the death for Fairview as he saw his bicycle kick travel just over Walsh;s crossbar from Duggan’s cross. As per the rule change, once Higgins drew a halt to proceedings, the game moved straight to a penalty shoot out. It was youngster Josh McCarthy who was the hero for Fairview as he saved penalty kicks from Aidan Hurley and Daragh Hughes while Fairview converted all their spot kick to advance.

Ballynanty Rovers: Kevin Walsh, Daragh Hughes, Josh Adams, Dermot Fitzgerald, Adam Costelloe, Tomas O’Connor, Thomas Byrnes, James Fitzgerald, Liam Byrnes, Adrian Power, Conor Keane (Habideen Gbedebo)

Fairview Rangers: Josh McCarthy, Jeffrey Judge, Jake Dillon, Jason Cross, Blake Curran, Stephen Bradley, Shane Duggan, Daragh Rainsford, Conor Coughlan, Cian McNamara, Jack Arra (Brian Aherne)